Cultural Immersion
Arizona’s second city is a riot of Southwestern culture, from top-notch Sonoran-style cuisine to stately saguaros to an intoxicating mix of indigenous, Mexican, Spanish and Anglo/cowboy cultures. Build a Tucson weekender around the Old Pueblo’s cultural touchstones, from museums to hot dog trucks.
How To Get There
Take the I-10 East all the way down. Picacho Peak is a fun detour if you’re into ostriches or Civil War marginalia.
Best Seasons to Visit: Winter, Spring and Fall
Itinerary
-> Start your day with breakfast and shopping at the Mercado District, a mixed-use catacomb of businesses, residences, shops and eateries that includes Mercado San Agustín and the MSA Annex. Grab a latte from Presta Coffee Roasters and pan dulce from La Estrella Bakery before browsing art boutique MAST. 100 & 267 S. Avenida del Convento, 520-461-1107, mercadodistrict.com
-> Immerse yourself in indigenous history at Arizona State Museum, the oldest and largest anthropological research museum in the Southwest. The Smithsonian affiliate was established in 1893 and offers master classes and travel expeditions in addition to its collection of archaeological treasures. 1013 E. University Blvd., 520-621-6302, statemuseum.arizona.edu
-> For a taste of more modern history, a Sonoran dog is a must. This bacon-wrapped, bean-loaded frank with a laundry list of toppings was invented in Tucson and has become an iconic food for the UNESCO City of Gastronomy. Find one of our favorites at Aquí Con El Nene. Two locations, aquiconelnene.com
-> Reflect on colonialism, religion and architecture at Mission San Xavier del Bac, founded in 1692 by Jesuit priest Father Eusebio Kino as a Catholic mission to the Tohono O’odham people. The current church was completed in 1797 and is the oldest intact European structure in Arizona. It remains open for mass, prayer and docent-led tours. 1950 W. San Xavier Rd., 520-294-2642, sanxaviermission.org
-> Seek respite in the glory of nature at Saguaro National Park. The Rincon Mountain District on the eastern side (3693 S. Old Spanish Trl., 520-733-5153, nps.gov) features nearly 130 hiking trails across more than 67,000 acres, two picnic areas and six backcountry camping sites. The western Tucson Mountain District (2700 N. Kinney Rd., 520-733-5158) has fewer hiking trails and no campsites, but boasts higher saguaro density and lower elevation for easy access. It’s also closer to downtown and the west side’s welter of restaurants and hotels.
-> Agave spirits and elevated Mexican fare are on deck at Penca in downtown Tucson. Try the lubina, hoja santa-marinated branzino with coconut mole blanco, lime-roasted pepitas and cauliflower rice. 50 E. Broadway Blvd., 520-203-7681, pencarestaurante.com
DID YOU KNOW?
The Hohokam words “chuk shon,” roughly translated as “at the foot of the black mountain,” are the origin of the name Tucson.
Overnight Options
Hotel McCoy
The McCoy celebrates all that is Tucson. There are paintings by Arizona artists, guests are greeted with local beer or wine, and the hotel transformed a guestroom into a rotating retailer for Tucson businesses. 720 W. Silverlake Rd., 844-782-9622, hotelmccoy.com
Joshua Tree House Tucson
This chic inn borders the west side of Saguaro National Park. Each of its suites name-checks a desert plant and features a fireplace, private patio and king bed. 12051 W.Fort Lowell Rd., thejoshuatreehouse.com/tucson
Hotel Congress
Downtown Tucson’s historical hub is the Hotel Congress, which hosts such beloved annual events as Dillinger Days, the Agave Heritage Festival and Tucson’s biggest New Year’s Eve party. Great breakfast at on-site Cup Café, too. 311 E. Congress St., 520-622-8848, hotelcongress.com
Wild Card
Tucked in Tucson’s historical Barrio Viejo neighborhood is Bon, a casually elegant boutique owned by mother-daughter duo Bonnie and Crystal Flynt. The Flynts’ globally curated offerings – French ceramics, Bolivian fazadas, Italian cashmere sweaters, Indian Karu plaid button-ups – have drawn devotees including Diane Keaton. 760 S. Stone Ave., 520-795-2272, bon-boutique.com
